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Victoria Removes Timber By-Product from State Forests After 2024 Harvesting Ban
Abc reported that environmental groups have questioned the removal of native timber debris from Victorian state forests for fire management. The state released a framework in April 2026 allowing sales of some by-product with revenue directed to traditional owners.
Jul 9, 5:05 PM·1m read1 source
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Abc reported that environmental groups have raised concerns over the removal of native timber from Victorian state forests since native timber harvesting ended in 2024. The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action released the State Forest Timber By-Product Framework in April 2026.
The framework permits removal and sale of native timber debris during Forest Fire Management Victoria operations.
DEECA auctioned about 7,000 tonnes of timber by-product in May 2026 after a storm near Daylesford. More than 500 tonnes of firewood were removed from a fuel break in Gippsland. More than 1,400 tonnes of storm debris were removed from public land near Mirboo North.
About 500 tonnes of by-product were moved at Mallacoota after the Black Summer fires. Warburton Environmental Inc filed a Federal Court case in May 2024 against the Victorian government over destruction of hollow-bearing trees. The trial remains awaiting decision and has restricted fuel break renewal works in the Central Highlands.
Blake Nesbit observed greater gliders emerging from hollows of a mountain grey gum tree near Forty Mile Break in Noojee. Wildlife of the Central Highlands volunteers reported a dead Leadbeater's possum after removal of hollow-bearing trees. Jordan Crook stated the end of native timber harvesting had failed to protect the environment and that the Victorian National Parks Association observed an intensification in timber removal from public land.
David Lindenmayer labelled the state government's approach to forest fuel load reduction as madness. A DEECA spokesperson stated debris removed for safety, bushfire or forest health reasons goes to commercial, community or environmental uses. A Victorian government spokesperson stated forest and fire management work is never conducted for a commercial purpose and is not logging.
